I've known Amadeus the Stampede for years. The first time we met was at the former Greater Good compound in Jamaica Plain — where co-defendant Jake the Snake resided, and where Amadeus was a couch-riding regular. Even back then I knew, from his short, aggressive banter, that this dude was chemically scrambled, and he's confirmed that prognosis several times since.

But for a shattered MC whose life story reads like Basketball Diaries, Kids, and Requiem combined and set in modern black Boston, the leather-throated hardcore rhyme horse has composed a focused solo debut. Whereas a lot of rappers allege to rhyme for catharsis, Amadeus wrestles demons by the horns. His track list is a prescription for addiction and degeneracy: "Deadly Toxins" with Reks, "Psycho" with Slaine, and "Pig Pen" with Lateb and Skinny are dark enough to bring nightmares.

On the mic, Amadeus is more Golden Era than experimental — think the Game meets Inspectah Deck — but his backdrops are contemporary. The producers on this project — from Matty Trump and J Scrilla to Stubangas and Amadeus himself — deserve props, not just for bringing the synth-soaked party favors but for dealing with a basket case like the Stampede.

He shall overcome There’s nothing lamer than articles that lead with cheap metaphors inspired by an artist’s stage name. But I can’t avoid this one: when Amadeus the Stampede rushes, get the fuck out of the way.

Art appreciation The recent Phoenix editorial on state-government funding for arts and culture highlighted many of the challenges we face as we try to meet our aspirations as a community amidst a very difficult economic environment.

Who's next? If Melvin B. Miller has his way, last week's shutdown of the Bay State Banner — the African-American-focused weekly paper Miller ran as editor and publisher for nearly half a century — won't be the end.

Review: Rite Hook | E.ye A.ssume D.amage If it came out that Rite Hook had mysteriously suffocated his baby sister 15 years ago, his fans wouldn't likely be surprised. The Worcester-Boston MC is the kind of dude who tattoos himself, recreationally chokes on half-gram "gaggers," inseminates despicable local groupies, and writes about said activities when he wakes up in the morning.

Yoon or Flaherty Boston voters will go to the polls in less than seven weeks to choose two candidates, out of the four now running, to face off against each other in November's mayoral election.

Menino's 50-Percent Solution For years, many in Boston (including here at the Phoenix ) have lamented the absence of a vigorous campaign that would force the long-time incumbent to defend his record and discuss the issues.

CZARFACE SOARS ABOVE THE CLOUDS | February 11, 2013 This week 7LES and Inspectah Deck drop Czarface , a full-length work of adventurous genius revolving around a metal-clad protagonist who feeds on destruction.

THE BPD ADDS INSULT TO INJURY | February 05, 2013 At times, this kind of decision makes you wonder whether the BPD is saving its best awards for officers who've been involved in the death of civilians.